Vehicle

1996 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan

Review

Admittedly bought this car "as is" from a used car lot, but seems like an awful lot in repair bills in one year for a vehicle with only about 110,000 miles: Head gasket $1,700. Alternator $560. Transmission $2,300. Already more in repairs than I paid for it. Which is frustrating as otherwise it's comfortable to drive, and has the room I need to haul stuff around when the seats are taken out.

Best Features

Comfortable to drive, good visibility, hauling room when seats taken out.

Worst Features

More reliable engine, fix strange electric issues ('door ajar' warning beep and light comes on while driving even though doors are all shut)

Vehicle

1996 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan

Review

I bought this van 6 years ago. It had 140,000 miles when I bought it. It ran pretty well. I have had to replace a few very expensive parts. The ABS keeps messing up my front breaks (I have to replace them every year). The speed sensor is bad, and have had to replace the O2 sensors. The rear defrost fried and does not work, thank goodness for my garage. The seats are very heavy to take out, as well. Over-all, the van has been pretty good to me. Has not left me stranded anywhere. I'm able to drive long hauls with no problems. I do wished it had the drivers side sliding door. It's ok, though. My boys call it the NASCAR Van. lol

Best Features

The power, the room it has, the AC and heat, comfy, and the engine fairly easy to access most parts. It's very reasonable on gas mileage as well, especially, for the mileage it has.

Worst Features

Just make sure that the best engine and tranny parts are put in the vans. In other words, the quality could be better.

Vehicle

1996 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan

Review

We finally traded our Windstar as our clunker. It served our transportation needs over a decade and it protected us through two accidents. Power steering that growled and Ford replacements that growled worse did not give us confidence about Fords. The worst part was that the Ford dealership was essentially telling me that the vehicle was used up well under 100K. The engine blew up at 80K when a non-dealership mechanic was doing a head gasket leakage test didn't help matters. We were nursing a sick transmission when the CARS program came on. We jumped at the chance!

Best Features

The five star crash rating came in handy. The engine had reasonable power and road handling was reasonable.

Worst Features

Factory should send out rebuilt power steering units that is quieter than the bad ones! I don't think that Ford cares much about suggestions on minivans since they don't do them anymore!

Vehicle

1996 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan

Review

Bought it in 1999, since then problem after problem. Head gasket, transmission, front end, wonder if there are anymore of the service lights at dashboard which is not turn on... but the van has 300K km now and done a lot of towing (pop up trailer) this van is our family pleasure since we have it.

Best Features

Roomy

Worst Features

More reliable, no need to have service lights because it mean nothing to me.